Connecticut western news., 1887-08-31
HIS BOY.
BY TOM P. MORGAN.

BY TOM P. MORGAN.
 The sun had long since dropped be- hind the scrubby ''jack oaks" on Hicks Knob. There was no moon in sight, but the dancing stars that, winking and blinking so merrily at each other, seemed mildly flirting the ight hours away, shed a subtle gleam of light down upon the winding road. At either hand the dense forest of Southern Missouri stretched away, broken only by the knolls cknobs" the squatters call them) that reared their scraggy heads at unex- pected places. Far off to the right a sleepy rain-crow, that had been hustled off from his perch by his uneasy mate, gave utterance- to his harsh, uncanny, squawking cry, which sounded much as if his vocal organs sadly needed oiling. The shadows at the foot of the great piebald stem of the tall sycamore were dense and black, and, close to the road side just opposite, the shades of the lit- tie clump of red-bud trees were inky and irregular in outline Presently one of the patches of darkness moved a little and Boulson's hoarse voice whispered loudly:
 ''See anything yitG'-
 ''Dad blame it all, no!" answered Deputy Sheriff Hanks from the opposite shadow.
 oval, sher'f, this is a picnic, to be shore" philosophical Boulson. Cant be helped, I reckon, but somehow I ain't mashed on hevin' spiders an sich crawin' up and down my back like they've been doin' for the last hour. Pm mighty hungry for smoke just now.''
 "Abe, too, but it won't do.''
 'sKnow that. Consarn that scoun- drel! I'll feel like shootin' him just for luck when he comes, if he ever does.'
 "Me, too," whispered the deputy sheriff again. "Only we mustn't, Hess we halter. Had too long chase to waste him now, eh, Boulson2"
 'You bet!" that worthy whispered hoarsely. "But ef he hain't powerful cafful we'll tunk him on the ground a time or two jest kinder on general prin- ciples," added Hanks
 "That's what" answered Boulson.
 'More'n q month we've ben after him." went on the deputy, land now we're not goin' to How him to give us the slip. Hain't got no acquisition to none, reckon. This is as good requi- sition as want"
 Hanks thrust his hand out into tho starlight, and the huge revolver he grasped gleamed balefully.
 ''Plenty good enough, answered Boul | son. "Won't be no trouble about nc papers wen we take him back, reck on," went on Hanks. ''The boys'll settle his case Hoss stealin' don't call for nc trial in Kansas"
 "Yu bet yer life!' replied Boulson.
 "Thar he comes now," whispered Deputy Sheriff Hanks, as a dark, gal. loping figure came in view, swiftly des. cending the winding road down the side of Hicks Knob. Then the shadows at the foot of the sycamore and by the red-buC clump grew rigid and silent. For many long days these two determined men hat been on the trail of the man who now galloped toward them. At last the lons hunt seemed about to end. What tn, riders fate would be Hanks had cx pressed in the sentence ''Hoss stealth don't call for no trial in Kansas"
 "Wonder if he's got Kit?n half whis pered the deputy. Bay Kittie had beer the pride and delight of Hanks heart and when, after many depredations, tn night rider had stolen the bay pace from the deputy, that worthy swore tn most diabolical vengeance that he cou!' conceive of, and in company wit Boulson followed the trail with the win dictiveness of bulldog.
 The footballs of the approaching hors beat musically upon the turf, and tn rider could be seen peering keenly ahead When the horses head had almos reached the sycamore, a dark fgur sprang from the red-bud shade, pointin one of the self cooking acquisitions g the heart of the rider. The horse stoE ped with snort.
 l s'Up with yer hands," cried Boul son.
 The rider threw one hand to his hi and, like flash, half drew weapon The sycamore's shadow sprang upo him, pinioned his arms to his sides an Q moment later threw him prone to tn earth with his knee on the heavin chest. Boulson tied the horse and wer to the aid of the deputy. Together the turned their prisoner over and shacklc him. Hanks asked as they rose to the feet: ssWas it Kate2''
 .No.n
 5 II the deputy handled the prison ssazs